ATIS Standardizes Emergency Telecommunications Services for IP Networks

July 25, 2006, Washington – ATIS announces the publication of new procedures and capabilities required to support Emergency Telecommunications Services (ETS) in Internet Protocol (IP)-based service provider networks.

ETS extends the functional requirements, capabilities and applications of the Government’s Emergency Telecommunications Service/Wireless Priority Service (GETS/WPS) to support multimedia services for National Security and Emergency Preparedness (NS/EP) communications over multiple network environments, including end-to-end IP-based packet networks.

The Standard for Support of Emergency Telecommunications Service (ETS) in IP Networks (ATIS-PP-1000010.2006) encompasses procedures for interoperability and interworking between IP-based and existing circuit-switched wireline and wireless service provider networks in support of ETS. In addition, the document describes basic authentication mechanisms and procedures; and security requirements.

Building upon the IP Network to Network Interface (IP-NNI) standard recently released by ATIS (ATIS-PP-1000009.2006), the ETS document specifies how information such as call marking and a call’s priority level needs to be signaled across the IP-NNI between two interconnecting VoIP providers. This information also needs to be shared across other technology domains, including wireless or wireline TDM domains to ensure priority treatment of NS/EP communications.

The standard includes end-to-end ETS call flow illustrations for a variety of call situations originating or terminating on IP access (e.g., DSL or cable), narrowband wireline access and wireless access (e.g. GSM or CDMA phones), and which traverse IP and circuit-switched core networks.

The Standard for Support of Emergency Telecommunications Service (ETS) in IP Networks was developed by the ATIS Packet Systems and Technologies Committee’s subcommittee for Signaling, Architecture and Control (PTSC-SAC). It has been balloted and approved as an American National Standard. It currently is available for purchase in the ATIS Document Center (www.atis.org/docstore) as a pre-published document pending final editorial work.

The document fulfills a key requirement for the ATIS Technology and Operations (TOPS) Council’s VoIP Work Plan.

About ATIS

ATIS is a technical planning and standards development organization that is committed to rapidly developing and promoting technical and operations standards for the communications and related information technologies industry worldwide using a pragmatic, flexible and open approach. Participants from more than 350 communications companies are active in ATIS’ 23 industry committees and Incubator Solutions Program. www.atis.org

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